Summary: Isaiah 25:6 is a messianic prophecy foretelling a time when God will bring salvation, joy, and abundance to all people. It is echoed in the NT by the parable of the grand banquet as told by Jesus (Luke 14:15-24) and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9). The animal-friendly food (Hebrew: shemen machah) of the messianic banquet in Isaiah 25:6, however, is mistranslated by NASB, KJV and NIV as “choice pieces with marrow”, “fat things full of marrow” and “the best meats”, respectively. Actually, “shemen” means oil, esp. olive oil, NOT animal fat; “machah” means "to rub, smooth, erase, or grease" and, by implication, oiliness or richness rather than animal bone marrow. This interpretation is corroborated by the fact that Isaiah is steadfastly, and strongly pro-vegan and anti-animal-sacrifice (Isaiah 65:3–7; 66:3; 11:69; 65:25; 1:15; 19:8; 25:6). Per Isaiah’s description, Jehovah loathes the meat diet and animal sacrifice; and New Heaven and New Earth is a perfectly vegan and non-violent domain. Therefore, a more faithful rendition of Isa. 25:6 would be: “The LORD of hosts will prepare a banquet of rich food drenched in olive oil for all peoples on this mountain; and a banquet of refined, aged grape juice.”
1. Three Anti-Vegan Versions of Isaiah 25:6
The LORD of hosts will prepare a lavish banquet for all peoples on this mountain; A banquet of aged wine, choice pieces (shemen) with marrow (machah), And refined, aged wine. (NASB)
And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined. (KJV)
On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine— the best of meats and the finest of wines. (NIV)
2. Context
This verse is part of Isaiah 25, a messianic prophecy portending a time when the Lord will bring deliverance, happiness, and lavishness to all people. The chapter follows Isaiah 24, which speaks of God’s judgment on the nations, and serves as a contrast—moving from judgment to restoration and celebration.
2.1. Foreshadowing the Messianic Age
This passage is often interpreted as a prophecy about the coming of Christ and the establishment of His eternal kingdom.
2.2. Echoed in the New Testament
Jesus speaks of a great banquet in Luke 14:15-24, inviting all people to God’s table. Revelation 19:9 refers to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, where God’s people will feast with Him in the New Creation.
Per Jesus’ own explanation to the Twelve Disciples, the Last Supper itself is a preview of the Messianic Banquet (Luke 22:28-30). And it’s vegan because Jesus therein only blesses bread and wine (Luke 22:15-19).
Similarly, according to a detailed description in the Dead Sea Scrolls (cf. Tabor 2012:150), the Messianic banquet is vegan:-
When God brings forth the Messiah, he shall come with them at the head of the whole congregation of Israel with all his brethren, the sons of Aaron the Priest . . . and the chiefs of the clans of Israel shall sit before him . . . And when they shall gather for the common table, to eat and to drink new wine ... let no man extend his hand over the firstfruits of bread and wine before the Priest; for he shall bless the firstfruits of bread and wine . . . Thereafter, the Messiah of Israel shall extend his hand over the bread and all the congregation of the Community shall utter a blessing . . (Vermes 2011:159-60)
3. Linguistic Analysis
The Hebrew word "shemen שֶׁמֶן " for “choice pieces/fat things” primarily refers to oil, particularly olive oil, which was a staple in ancient Israelite culture. The usage of 'shemen' in the Bible includes Genesis 28:18, where Jacob anoints a stone with shemen (olive oil); Psalm 23:5, which states, 'You anoint my head with oil (shemen)'; and Deuteronomy 8:8, which lists olive oil (shemen) as one of the blessings of the land. "Shemen", therefore, primarily refers to oil, not animal fat.
The Hebrew word "machah" (מָחָה) is wrongly interpreted by KJV and NASB as "marrow," but its root meaning is "to rub, smooth, erase, or grease." Linked to something smooth, refined, and enriched, it indicates oiliness or richness rather than literal bone marrow.
4. Corroborating Evidence
4.1. Isaiah’s Consistently Vegan Stance
The interpretation of “shemen machah” as vegan food drenched in olive oil aligns with the prophet Isaiah’s consistently pro-vegan and anti-animal-sacrifice stance as expressed in his writings, for example:-
A people who provoke Me to anger continually to My face; who …eat swine’s flesh, and the broth of abominable things is in their vessels; who say, ‘Keep to yourself, do not come near me, for I am holier than you!’ … “… I will not keep silence, but will repay— even repay into their bosom— your iniquities and the iniquities of your fathers together,” says the LORD …(Isaiah 65:3–7 NKJV)
“He who slaughters an ox is like one who kills a man” ; he who sacrifices a lamb, like one who breaks a dog's neck… like one who blesses an idol. These have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their abominations (Isaiah 66:3 ESV)
The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder's den. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. (Isaiah 11:69 ESV)
The wolf and the lamb shall graze together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent's food. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain,” says the Lord. (Isaiah 65:25 ESV)
“When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening. Your hands are full of blood!” (Isaiah 1:15 NIV).
“THE FISHERS also SHALL MOURN, and all they that cast angle into the brooks shall lament, and they that spread nets upon the waters shall languish.” (Isaiah 19:8 KJV)
5. How about the Aged Wine?
The wine here may just be grape juice freshly squeezed and/or stored grape juice at a ratio as high as 20 to 1, instead of strong alcohol. For more detailed discussions on use of wine by ancient writers, see Robert P. Teachout, "The Use of 'Wine' in the Old Testament" (Th.D. dissertation, Dallas Theological Seminary.
, 1979)
6. Conclusion
Most versions of Isa. 25:6, e.g., NASB, KJV and NIV, are imprecise, anti-vegan, animal-hostile, and perverse. They portray the peaceful Messianic banquet as a feast of fatty animal flesh and cholesterol-rich animal bone marrow. They are not in line with the firm, compassionate attitude of Isaiah the prophet towards animals and his understanding of God.
A more accurate translation of Isa. 25:6 would be: “The LORD of hosts will prepare a banquet of rich food drenched in olive oil for all peoples on this mountain, and a banquet of refined, aged grape juice.”
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